ELIZABETH SKRAPITS / PUBLISHED: MARCH 22, 2016
The state Department of Environmental Protection found asbestos in soil samples from the former Huber Breaker site in Ashley.
DEP announced through a press release on Monday that asbestos fibers were present in five samples taken on Tuesday, March 8, near the old boiler building at the onetime coal processing site and analyzed by EMSL Analytical Laboratories of New Jersey.
“DEP is working with (site owner) Paselo Logistics to determine the extent of the contamination,” DEP spokeswoman Colleen Connolly said. “We understand that there’s public concern. We are addressing the situation at the site this week.”
“The comments confirm what we knew and agreed upon,” Paselo’s attorney, Jonathan Comitz, stated in regards to DEP’s findings. “Paselo is actively working to comply with the stipulation reached between the parties.”
In October 2013, Paselo and New Jersey-based Reivia Ashley LLC bought the 26.58-acre Huber Breaker property in bankruptcy court for
$1.27 million. They tore down most of the buildings a few months later in order to salvage scrap metal, but didn’t clean up afterwards.
DEP issued a notice of violation after demolition started, due to failing to notify the department about asbestos removal.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen, with prolonged exposure linked to higher risks of lung cancer and mesothelioma, according to DEP.
DEP imposed a compliance order on Feb. 26, 2015, for Paselo to get rid of demolition debris, waste tires and unidentified liquids at the site, as well as identify and remove any contaminants — including “asbestos-containing waste in the roll-off container” — and then show proof of proper disposal.
The owners did not follow the order and this past February, DEP took legal action to have the compliance order enforced and to seek an additional court order.
Last week, DEP and Paselo worked out a deal in front of Luzerne County Judge Fred Pierantoni. It gives Paselo until Wednesday to start cleaning up the site and sets a timeline for the rest of the required work.
Connolly noted that Paselo did bag the asbestos at the site. However, DEP still has to determine whether it is friable — meaning it can be crumbled or reduced to powder in the hand — or less dangerous non-friable asbestos, as well as the amount and concentrations.
For Ashley Councilman Gerald Maldonado, who has long been concerned about asbestos contamination, the news of DEP’s findings was no surprise.
“That is really sad. They denied it. How much is buried in the ground?” he said. “We have children there, we have the elderly, we have a school bus stop, a playground.”
The Huber Breaker site is private property, posted with “no trespassing” signs.
Connolly stressed that, “The public should understand that they should not go on that site.”
DEP will work with Paselo and Ashley officials in coming days to characterize the extent of the contamination, and what, if any, remediation is needed, Connolly said.
“Obviously, we want to get it out of there, but we have to come up with a game plan,” she said.